External Plasma-Breathing Magnetohydrodynamic Propulsion

The current project involves using analytical and computational methods to evaluate the effectiveness of novel magnetohydrodynamic plasma-breathing propulsion options. Specifically, I am investigating the use of induced electric currents and magnetic fields to accelerate ambient plasma in orthogonal directions, thus providing thrust.

High enthalpy/High fidelity Hypersonic CFD Modeling

My research in the fall of 2022 involved computational modeling and optical spectrum analysis of hypersonic flows. My research was composed of two major parts which were being used for me to gain exposure relating to the full process of simulating test results in a lab environment. This process starts with the CFD simulation of the test apparatus - in this case, a simulation of a Mach stem in a chemically reacting, hypersonic flow. This is done by using Pointwise software to generate a mesh from the known dimensions of the test apparatus, which can then be simulated using US3D software.

This simulation enables the calculation of translational and vibrational temperatures, as well as species concentrations.

These data are inputs to the NEQAIR software, which can then be used to generate the optical emissions spectrum at any given point in the flow. These results can then be used for comparison to experiments.

Light-Particle Interactions

This laboratory project was the characterization of the refraction and diffraction of monochromatic directed energy through media of changing particle densities, accomplished by superimposing a laser and a rubidium supersonic jet to create a hybrid beam. This was analyzed through absorption spectroscopy to determine the magnitudes and types of interactions involved.

My Python CFD model, created in the spring of 2022, modeled a flow of argon and rubidium through the initial parts of an apparatus designed to test potential laser/particle beam coupling behavior.

Research in the summer of 2022 involved continuing work on this model, adding a model of the section of the apparatus containing collisionless flow and modeling the interactions of a laser with this flow. This theoretical expectation will be used to compare to the result obtained in the experiment and it will also determine carrier gases ideal for both absorption spectroscopy and analysis of near-resonance refraction.

High Power Rocketry

I have worked for several years on the practical aspect of propulsion. I earned a level 1 (M1) high-powered rocketry certification from the Tripoli Rocketry Association in 2018 and have been launching rockets ever since. Additionally, I have experience with level 2 dual-deploy rocketry systems. Please see my "Projects" page to learn more about my rocketry adventures.

Simulations and Numerical Algorithm Development

I have experience with both the finite difference method and the finite element method for hyperbolic and parabolic PDEs in arbitrary dimensional spaces, experience using them to evaluate thermal distribution and stress distribution, and experience simulating dynamic systems with high degrees of freedom using Runge-Kutta 4.

Chemistry

My research in aerospace-related chemistry consisted of the creation of a program to generate Raman spectra for arbitrary mixtures of gases at arbitrary temperatures, given sufficient input data. This was done by simulating the quantum dynamical properties of simplified molecular systems with regards to both rotational and vibrational motion. The generated properties were used to examine their behavior in Raman scattering during hypersonic combustion.

I also have completed a graduate level course in aerothermochemistry which included several projects. These projects included chemical simulation of equilibrium hypersonic flows using data both from literature and from statistical thermodynamic calculations, as well as the use of commercial software to model both the physical and optical properties of these flows.

Additional research in organic chemistry was completed early in my undergraduate career. Please see my "Projects" page for more detail on my chemistry projects.

Space Systems

I am especially interested in contributing to any space systems project so that I may help get humanity to space which, I believe, is the only way to ensure the long-term survival of the human race.